“He gave my life back” – Magic Johnson will always be grateful to David Stern for letting him finish his NBA career on his own terms after his HIV diagnosis

The NBA faced a crisis when Magic Johnson announced in 1991 that he had HIV. But instead of turning its back on a fallen superstar, the late commissioner David Stern supported Magic every step of the way.  With Stern’s support, Magic not only played in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game but also traveled to the Barcelona Olympics with the original Dream Team and won the gold medal for the United States. Johnson was even able to make an abbreviated 32-game comeback during the 1995-96 NBA season.  “Without David Stern,” Magic said in 2009, “I wouldn’t be standing here today. He gave my life back.”

Stern educated the league about HIV and AIDS

While he retired at the start of the 1991-92 season, Magic did not feel any symptoms of the disease, and so by January 1992, he felt a strong urge to return to basketball. Because the fans made him the top vote-getter for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, Magic asked Stern if he could play in the midseason classic. Stern said yes, and what followed was chaos.

Players and team owners opposed Magic’s plan to play in the All-Star Game because of fears that they might contract the virus. However, Stern diffused the situation by educating the league about the truths and myths about HIV and AIDS. According to Charles Barkley, that was the game changer.

“The doctor sat us all down and let us clear the air,” Barkley said. “He covered everything anyone wanted to ask. He told us we couldn’t get HIV from rubbing up against someone or bumping into them. We couldn’t get it from their sweat or from a cut. That was important because nobody knew anything about the disease. It was so smart of David to send those doctors. It took the pressure and stress out of the entire situation,” Chuck pointed out.

Ending his career on his own terms

So, the stage was set for Johnson’s return in Orlando, and it was magical. “Buck” scored 25 points on 9-12 shooting with 9 assists and won All-Star Game MVP honors. But more than that, the All-Star weekend in Orlando turned into an event for HIV and AIDS education, and it helped change people’s perceptions about the disease.

Awareness reached the global stage when Magic decided to keep his roster spot and play for the 1992 U.S. men’s basketball team at the Barcelona Olympics. At first, the international community raised concerns, but with Stern’s backing, Magic wasn’t just able to play; he debunked societal fears and stigma surrounding HIV.

During the 1995-96 season, Magic returned to play in a competitive fashion, too, for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, at the age of 36, and after not playing in the previous four seasons, Johnson didn’t just look old; he was a mere shell of his old self.  After Michael Jordan made him realize that he was no longer with his Showtime Lakers crew, the five-time champion ended his comeback after just 32 games. Although his return bid was a failure, he was able to end his career on his own terms.